2011 Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in Wistar rat's intervertebral disc after experimentally induced scoliotic deformity

Description: A scoliotic deformity on intervertebral discs may accelerate degeneration at a molecular level with the production of metalloproteinases (MMPs). In the present experimental study we evaluated the presence of MMP-1 immunohistochemically after application of asymmetric forces in a rat intervertebral disc and the impact of the degree of the deformity on MMP-1 expression.
Conclusion The present study showed that an experimentally induced scoliotic deformity on a rat tail intervertebral disc results in over-expression of MMP-1, which is dependent on the degree of the deformity and follows a dissimilar distribution between the convex and the concave side.
Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in Wistar rat's intervertebral disc after experimentally induced scoliotic deformity Grivas TB, Vasiliadis ES, Kaspiris A, Khaldi L, Kletsas D Scoliosis 2011, 6:9 (full text)